Wheelchair Rugby provides a ton of fun and excitement to fans watching matches. But to those involved with the sport, it provides so much more. When you talk to the players, coaches and support staff, they all say the same thing–wheelchair rugby is family.
Here are the stories of those who bring the game to life.
Kevin Bowie @KevinABowie
- Manager, Sport Development at viaSport BC
- Technical Commissioner, Wheelchair Rugby Canada
- World Wheelchair Rugby Referee and Technical Delegate for Tokyo Paralympics
Kevin previously worked with the British Columbia Wheelchair Sports Association (BCWSA) for 15 years. There he worked with athletes and clubs across the province and played a leading role in the development of athletes, coaches, official’s, and volunteers from not just Vancouver but throughout Canada. Kevin will be leading the WWR International and National Technical Officials at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, Wheelchair Rugby Tournament.
WWR: How did you first get involved with wheelchair rugby?
Bowie: The first time I saw wheelchair rugby I was an intern in university, working with wheelchair basketball. The basketball staff volunteered to score keep for the 2004 wheelchair rugby national championships. The tournament was held before the addition of the try clock and I may have found myself nodding off from time to time. Coming from a basketball and wheelchair basketball officiating background the pace of play was very slow. I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight.
Shortly after the end of that internship there was an opportunity to move west and take a job with BC Wheelchair Sport Association (BCWSA) in Vancouver. I knew that wheelchair rugby and event hosting are a core part of the organization’s operations so regardless of first impressions I was excited to take on the role.
Q: What excited you about the sport? What do you like the most?
A: I love the strategy and tactics of the game. Don’t get me wrong, the speed and hits are fantastic but watch the low pointers. Those guys know what’s going on. They can make or break a chance at a medal.
I’m excited just to see live rugby again and be around the athletes, coaches and officials that are part of this amazing community. Especially the official crew. Some of them are my closest friends.
Q: How did you eventually transition from referring wheelchair basketball to wheelchair rugby? Was that an easy transition? Challenging?
A: While I was with BCWSA they hosted the Vancouver Invitational Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, one of the longest running events in the sport. Kathy Newman and Gail Hamamoto, two of the most influential people in the Paralympic movement, were involved and after discovering that I was a basketball official, asked if I would be interested in learning to officiate wheelchair rugby.
After I learned the strategy and tactics of wheelchair rugby,and that the rules and mechanics of the game mirrored basketball, I thought it sounded pretty great. I was in!
Q: And did the Vancouver event lead you to the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation?
A: Fast forwarding four years, the game got quicker with the addition of the try clock following the Beijing games. I soon found myself on the officiating fast track. I received my international officiating license in 2009, in Argentina. On the heels of that event, BCWSA was awarded the bid to host the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship. This was my first major IWRF event in an administrative role. The experience helped me gain greater visibility on what the IWRF Technical Delegate (TD) really does. I started to think about what a role as a TD would look like for me, after I finished as an active official. Following the 2010 Worlds, I set my sights on officiating at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 games. Unfortunately both attempts resulted in being named first alternate.
Q: So the Tokyo Paralympics is your first at being the Technical Delete?
A: Yes. Even though I was disappointed not to be selected as an official, I was encouraged by the people in my corner to use this opportunity to pivot and learn more about the role of TD. In 2016 I was encouraged to take a TD team apprenticeship in Rio. I was thrilled to accept and really enjoyed my time in the role. Following the 2016 games applications opened to apply for the TD and ATD roles with the Tokyo 2020 games. Originally, Stan Battock, Rio 2016 Assistant Technical Delegate, was selected as the TD and I filled the ATD role. Due to COVID-19 challenges in Australia, Stan was forced to withdraw. Early on we decided to split the workload. I’m glad we did, it has made my transition that much easier. Now I find myself in the Technical Delegate role and looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Q: Can you explain your role as a Technical Director with the IWRF?
A: As the Technical Delegate for Tokyo 2020 my responsibilities are wide-ranging but focus primarily on ensuring all elements of sport technical delivery of wheelchair rugby meet the IWRF standard, including; look and feel for the field of play, event schedule, effective athlete transportation, oversight and approval of venue, venue sport equipment, competition equipment and support the Head Official, Head Table Official and Chief Classifier with leadership and communication.
Q: What are you looking forward to in Tokyo? Are there any significant rules changes, or modifications that will affect the performances at these games?
A: I’m looking forward to seeing live rugby again. Also hoping to have some great food.
The biggest change will be the removal of player classification cards from the game. This was already in the works but was expedited to reduce the number of contact points between team staff and table officials. The biggest challenge for games is that many of the teams haven’t had the opportunity to compete in quite some time.
Q: What would you tell people who’ve never seen the sport before?
A: Tune in! It’s fast, physical and tactical. Watch the lower function athletes to see all the little things they do to give the high function athletes an opportunity to score.
Q: What do you see for the future of the sport?
A: That’s a good question. For the game, I’m excited to test some potential changes to the rules over the next quadrennial. There are lots of ideas floating around out there but none have gone through the Technical or Rules Committee as of yet. Rules that create more turnovers or reward good defense are things I’m most excited to test. The last thing I’m looking forward to is seeing new athletes enter the sport down the road. The Games are our best opportunity to showcase the sport. The athletes playing at these games are ready to put on a show. This is the chance to inspire someone, sitting at home, who sees someone with their disability and is inspired to reach out in their country or community to start to play. Maybe someone is inspired to learn to referee the sport too!